Where can you get a 200′ HDMI cable?
It’s a trick question. HDMI cables can’t go much further than fifty feet, and that’s by design. HDMI is designed to be a secure, two-way format where the TV and the output device (the satellite box,…
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Is it possible – 4K with only 6-7Mbps speed?
The dream of 4K could be getting closer to reality. When 4K was first introduced, it seemed like a pipe dream. A 4K stream was expected to require about 120mbps, far beyond what most people should…
Best of the Blog 2014, Volume 1
Take a look at the best from the fall and early winter of 2013.
Why can’t you use your DIRECTV-Ready TV with your home Wi-Fi?
I’m tempted to say, it’s just plain stubbornness, but there’s more to it. There was a time I was not fond of the DIRECTV Ready TV. I actually own a 2011 model, and to be…
Someone INVENTED it: Multi-tool
The jack knife, also known as the Swiss Army knife, has been around since about 600BC, believe it or not. Roman peasants carried folding knives around with them. The trend of putting a lot of tools…
SO EXPLAIN THIS TO ME: What’s so special about digital signage?
For some reason, the concept of digital signage is hard to understand. I’ve written several articles about it, and yet there are still people who don’t “get it.” So, it seems like the best thing to do is…
Should you use the 5GHz band on your router?
It depends on if you’re an IT professional. The latest version of the 802.11 standard for Wi-Fi includes the ability to use the 5GHz broadcast band as well as the 2.4GHz broadcast band. This opens up…
What if one wireless video bridge isn’t enough?
DIRECTV’s wireless Genie Mini Client solves a lot of problems. You can be up to 50 feet from a coaxial cable with five walls between you and the signal remains nice and strong. That’s enough to…
Be cool… go solar
Plugs? Who needs plugs? Don’t worry about losing power to those portable electronics you love so much. This Wagan Foldable Solar Charger will charge any device that connects via USB, even iPads and other 2.1 amp devices. It…
IS IT TRUE: You can’t use LTE if you bring your unlocked phone to a different carrier?
Cell service in the United States lags behind other countries but that’s not really a bad thing most of the time. While other countries have strict rules for cellular service, the rules in the US are…
Beware the perils of Bluetooth keyboards and mice
OK so I’m being a little dramatic. Personally I use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse on my PC and they work fine. In fact, Bluetooth is a great technology for connecting these things, because it’s built…
Should you call DIRECTV for a service call?
Know when to say “when,” but it’s your choice. The nice thing I find about having satellite television is that there are a lot of troubleshooting steps you can take without having to call someone. That’s…
Solid Signal’s HANDS ON Review: HR54 Genie DVR
Special thanks to Signal Labs member hdtvfan0001 who graciously provided images to this review and to reviews at iamanedgecutter.com. DIRECTV’s newest DVR could be hiding a big secret. The HR54 Genie DVR looks an awful lot like an…
OPINION: Copyright law lines need to be less blurred
You might have heard about this yesterday. The writers of last year’s hit Blurred Lines were sued by the family of the late Marvin Gaye (pictured above) because they claimed that the song as it was produced was…
Can’t discover UAP access points? Here’s the story
This happened to me. I have a network of Ubiquiti UAP access points and when I changed computers, I lost the ability to access them. It took me several hours to get them back, and I want you…